Notes to Cons
olid
ated Financial Statements
Note 1.
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Organization and Description of Business
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Organization and Description of Business
Spherix Incorporated (the “Company”) is an intellectual property company incorporated in the State of Delaware that owns patented and unpatented intellectual property. The Company was formed in 1967 as a scientific research company and for much of its history pursued drug development including through Phase III clinical studies which were discontinued. Through the Company’s acquisition of patents and patent applications developed by Nortel Networks Corporation from Rockstar Consortium US, LP (“Rockstar”) and Harris Corporation from North South Holdings Inc. (“North South”) in 2013, the Company has expanded its activities and is a significant owner of intellectual property assets.
The Company is a patent commercialization company that realizes revenue from the monetization of IP. Such monetization includes, but is not limited to, acquiring IP from patent holders in order to maximize the value of the patent holdings by conducting and managing a licensing campaign. The Company intends to generate revenues and related cash flows from the granting of intellectual property rights for the use of patented technologies that it owns, or that it manages for others, or through the settlement and litigation of patents.
We continually work to enhance our portfolio of intellectual property through acquisition and strategic partnerships. Our mission is to partner with inventors, or other entities, who own undervalued intellectual property. We then work with the inventors or other entities to commercialize the IP. Currently, we own over 330 patents and patent applications.
Note 2.
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Liquidity and Financial Condition
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The Company continues to incur ongoing administrative and other expenses, including public company expenses, in excess of corresponding (non-financing related) revenue. While the Company continues to implement its business strategy, it intends to finance its activities through:
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managing current cash and cash equivalents on hand from the Company’s past equity offerings,
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seeking additional funds raised through the sale of additional securities in the future,
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seeking additional liquidity through credit facilities or other debt arrangements, and
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increasing revenue from its patent portfolios, license fees and new business ventures.
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As a result of the Company’s recurring operating losses, net operating cash flow deficits and remaining obligations relating to the redemption of its Series I preferred Stock, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The Company’s ultimate success is dependent on its ability to obtain additional financing and generate sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations on a timely basis. The Company’s business will require significant amounts of capital to sustain operations and make the investments it needs to execute its longer term business plan. The Company’s working capital amounted to approximately $3.2 million at December 31, 2014, and net loss amounted to approximately $30.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company had an $83.8 million accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2014. The Company’s existing liquidity is not sufficient to fund its operations, anticipated capital expenditures, working capital and other financing requirements for the foreseeable future. Absent generation of sufficient revenue from the execution of the Company’s business plan, the Company will need to obtain additional debt or equity financing, especially if the Company experiences downturns in its business that are more severe or longer than anticipated, or if the Company experiences significant increases in expense levels resulting from being a publicly-traded company or operations. If the Company attempts to obtain additional debt or equity financing, the Company cannot assume that such financing will be available to the Company on favorable terms, or at all.
Disputes regarding the assertion of patents and other intellectual property rights are highly complex and technical. The Company may be forced to litigate against others to enforce or defend its intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of other parties’ proprietary rights. The defendants or other third parties involved in the lawsuits in which the Company is involved may allege defenses and/or file counterclaims or initiate inter parties reviews in an effort to avoid or limit liability and damages for patent infringement or cause the Company to incur additional costs as a strategy. If such efforts are successful, they may have an impact on the value of the patents and preclude the Company from deriving revenue from the patents. The patents could be declared invalid by a court or the United States Patent and Trademark Office, in whole or in part, or the costs of the Company can increase. Recent rulings also create an increased risk that if the Company is unsuccessful in litigation it could be responsible to pay the attorneys’ fees and other costs of defendants by lowering the standard for legal fee shifting sought by defendants in patent cases.
As a result, a negative outcome of any such litigation, or one or more claims contained within any such litigation, could materially and adversely impact the Company’s business. Additionally, the Company anticipates that legal fees which are not included in contingency fee arrangements, experts and other expenses will be material and could have an adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations if its efforts to monetize its patents are unsuccessful.
In addition, the costs of enforcing the Company’s patent rights may exceed its recoveries from such enforcement activities. Accordingly, in order for the Company to generate a profit from its patent enforcement and monetization activities, the revenues from such enforcement and monetization activities must be high enough to offset both the cash outlays and the contingent fees payable from such revenues, including any profit sharing arrangements with inventors or prior owners of the patents. The Company’s failure to monetize its patent assets or the occurrence of unforeseen circumstances that could have a negative impact on the Company’s liquidity could significantly harm its business.
Note 3.
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
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Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Biospherics Incorporated, Nuta Technology Corp. (“Nuta”), Spherix Portfolio Acquisition I, Inc. (“SPXI”), Spherix Portfolio Acquisition II, Inc. (“SPXII”), Guidance IP, LLC (“Guidance”), CompuFill LLC (“CompuFill”) , Directional IP, LLC (“Directional”) and NNPT, LLC (“NNPT”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. The Company’s significant estimates and assumptions include the recoverability and useful lives of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, and the valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax assets. Certain of the Company’s estimates, including the carrying amount of the intangible assets, could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company and general economic conditions. It is reasonably possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and could cause actual results to differ from those estimates and assumptions.
Concentration of Cash
The Company maintains cash balances at two financial institutions in checking accounts and money markets. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $0.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.
Marketable Securities
Marketable securities are classified as trading and are carried at fair value. The Company’s marketable securities consist of mutual funds which are value at quoted market prices. The Company invested funds into highly liquid mutual funds during 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company incurred realized and unrealized losses on its investments in marketable securities of $0.49 million and $0.54 million, respectively, which is included in other income, net on the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company earned dividend income of $0.92 million, which is included in other income, net on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company reinvested such dividend income into its marketable securities and at December 31, 2014, its holdings in marketable securities aggregated $3.5 million. No marketable securities were held in 2013. The cost of marketable securities held as of December 31, 2014 was $3.55 million
Intangible Assets – Patent Portfolios
Intangible assets include the Company’s patent portfolios with original estimated useful lives ranging from six months to 12 years. The Company amortizes the cost of the intangible assets over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. Costs incurred to acquire patents, including legal costs, are also capitalized as long-lived assets and amortized on a straight-line basis with the associated patent.
Patents include the cost of patents or patent rights (hereinafter, collectively “patents”) acquired from third-parties or acquired in connection with business combinations. Patent acquisition costs are amortized utilizing the straight-line method over their remaining economic useful lives, ranging from one to ten years. Certain patent application and prosecution costs incurred to secure additional patent claims, that based on management’s estimates are deemed to be recoverable, are capitalized and amortized over the remaining estimated economic useful life of the related patent portfolio.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is subject to impairment testing at least annually and will be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances changes that indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. ASC Topic 350 provides an entity with the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. If the two-step impairment test is necessary, a fair-value-based test is applied at the reporting unit level, which is generally one level below the operating segment level. The test compares the fair value of an entity's reporting units to the carrying value of those reporting units. This test requires various judgments and estimates.
The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit using a market approach in combination with a discounted operating cash flow approach. Impairment of goodwill is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of goodwill over the fair values of recognized and unrecognized assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. An adjustment to goodwill will be recorded for any goodwill that is determined to be impaired. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually in conjunction with the preparation of its annual business plan, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate it might be impaired. ASU 2010-28 modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that impairment may exist.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets (Including Patent Assets)
The Company monitors the carrying value of long-lived assets for potential impairment and tests the recoverability of such assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If a change in circumstance occurs, the Company performs a test of recoverability by comparing the carrying value of the asset or asset group to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. If cash flows cannot be separately and independently identified for a single asset, the Company will determine whether impairment has occurred for the group of assets for which the Company can identify the projected cash flows. If the carrying values are in excess of undiscounted expected future cash flows, the Company measures any impairment by comparing the fair value of the asset or asset group to its carrying value. The Company deemed there was no impairment of long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost and include office furniture and equipment and computer hardware and software in 2014. The Company computes depreciation and amortization under the straight-line method and typically over the following estimated useful lives of the related assets:
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Office furniture and equipment
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3 to 10 years
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Computer hardware and software
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3 to 5 years
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Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the product or service has occurred, all obligations have been performed pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue from the licensing of the Company’s intellectual property and settlements reached from legal enforcement of the Company’s patent rights is recognized when the arrangement with the licensee has been signed and the license has been delivered and made effective, provided license fees are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. The fair value of licenses achieved by ordinary business negotiations is recognized as other income.
The amount of consideration received upon any settlement or judgment is allocated to each element of the settlement based on the fair value of each element. Elements related to licensing agreements and royalty revenues, net of contingent legal fees, are recognized as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. Elements that are not related to license agreements and royalty revenue in nature will be reflected as a separate line item within the other income section of the consolidated statements of operations. Elements provided in either settlement agreements or judgments include: the value of a license, legal release, and interest. When settlements or judgments are achieved at discounts to the fair value of a license, the Company allocates the full settlement or judgment, excluding specifically named elements as mentioned above, to the value of the license agreement or royalty revenue under the residual method. Legal release as part of a settlement agreement is recognized as a separate line item in the consolidated statements of operations when value can be allocated to the legal release. When the Company reaches a settlement with a defendant, no value is allocated to the legal release since the existence of a settlement removes legal standing to bring a claim of infringement and without a legal claim; the legal release has no economic value. The element that is applicable to interest income will be recorded as a separate line item in other income. The Company does not assume future performance obligations in its license arrangements. Revenue from the monetization of the Company’s intellectual property during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was not significant.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues include the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s patent enforcement activities, including inventor royalties paid to original patent owners, contingent legal fees paid to external patent counsel, other patent-related legal expenses paid to external patent counsel, licensing and enforcement related research, consulting and other expenses paid to third parties and the amortization of patent-related acquisition costs.
Inventor Royalties and Contingent Legal Expenses
Inventor royalties are expensed in the period that the related revenues are recognized. In certain instances, pursuant to the terms of the underlying inventor agreements, costs paid by the Company to acquire patents are recoverable from future net revenues. Patent acquisition costs that are recoverable from future net revenues are amortized over the estimated economic useful life of the related patents, or as the prepaid royalties are earned by the inventor, as appropriate, and the related expense is included in amortization expense.
Contingent legal fees are expensed in the period that the related revenues are recognized. In instances where there are no recoveries from potential infringers, no contingent legal fees are paid; however, the Company may be liable for certain out of pocket legal costs incurred pursuant to the underlying legal services agreement. Legal fees advanced by contingent law firms that are required to be paid in the event that no license recoveries are obtained are expensed as incurred.
Contingent Legal Fees
Contingent legal and consulting fees are expensed in the period that the related revenues or other income are recognized. In instances where there are no recoveries from potential infringers, no contingent legal and consulting fees are required to be paid; however, the Company may be liable for certain out of pocket legal and consulting costs incurred pursuant to the underlying legal and consulting services agreement. Legal fees advanced by contingent law firms, if any, that are required to be paid in the event that no license recoveries are obtained are expensed as incurred and included in liabilities.
Accounting for Warrants
The Company accounts for the issuance of common stock purchase warrants issued in connection with the equity offerings in accordance with the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The Company classifies as equity any contracts that (i) require physical settlement or net-share settlement or (ii) gives the Company a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in its own shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement). The Company classifies as assets or liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net-cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) gives the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement).
The Company assessed the classification of its common stock purchase warrants as of the date of each offering and determined that such instruments met the criteria for liability classification. The warrants are reported on the consolidated balance sheet as a liability at fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation method. Changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants result in the recognition of other income or expense.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are carried at cost, which management believes approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
The Company uses three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Under this method, income tax expense is recognized as the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary difference resulting from matters that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statement or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if based on the weight of available evidence it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Net Loss per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net income or loss applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options (using the treasury stock method) and the conversion of the Company’s convertible preferred stock and warrants (using the if-converted method). Diluted loss per share excludes the shares issuable upon the conversion of preferred stock and the exercise of stock options and warrants from the calculation of net loss per share if their effect would be anti-dilutive.
Securities that could potentially dilute loss per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
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As of December 31,
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2014
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2013
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Convertible preferred stock
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5,156,841
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20,010,352
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Warrants to purchase common stock
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769,803
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65,263
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Options to purchase common stock
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5,298,877
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2,013,876
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Total
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11,225,521
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22,089,491
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Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based payment awards exchanged for employee services at the estimated grant date fair value of the award. Stock options issued under the Company’s long-term incentive plans are granted with an exercise price equal to no less than the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant and expire up to ten years from the date of grant. These options generally vest over a four- to ten-year period.
The fair value of stock options granted was determined on the grant date using assumptions for risk free interest rate, the expected term, expected volatility, and expected dividend yield. The risk free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve over the expected term of the option. The expected term assumption is determined using the weighted average midpoint between vest and expiration for all individuals within the grant. The expected volatility assumption is computed based on a comparison of average volatility rates of similar companies.
The Company’s model includes a zero dividend yield assumption, as the Company has not historically paid nor does it anticipate paying dividends on its common stock. The Company’s model does not include a discount for post-vesting restrictions, as the Company has not issued awards with such restrictions.
The periodic expense is then determined based on the valuation of the options, and at that time an estimated forfeiture rate is used to reduce the expense recorded. The Company estimates of pre-vesting forfeitures is primarily based on the Company’s historical experience and is adjusted to reflect actual forfeitures as the options vest.
Treasury Stock
The Company accounts for the treasury stock using the cost method, which treats it as a reduction in stockholders’ equity. In February 2014, the Company retired 173 shares of treasury stock.
Preferred Stock
The Company applies the accounting standards for distinguishing liabilities from equity when determining the classification and measurement of its preferred stock. Preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable preferred shares (including preferred shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, preferred shares are classified as stockholders’ equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-12, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. This ASU requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
The FASB has issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605 - Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. The standard requires that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU is effective on January 1, 2017 and should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the ASU recognized at the date of initial application. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
The FASB issued ASU 2014-15 on “Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) - Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. Currently, there is no guidance in U.S. GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments in this ASU provide that guidance. In doing so, the amendments are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendments require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, the amendments (1) provide a definition of the term substantial doubt, (2) require an evaluation every reporting period including interim periods, (3) provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans, (4) require certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans, (5) require an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) require an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The amendments in this ASU are effective for public and nonpublic entities for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-15 during the year ended December 31, 2014. Management’s evaluations regarding the events and conditions that raise substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern have been disclosed in Note 2.
Note 4. Property and Equipment
The components of property and equipment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, at cost are (in thousands):
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As of December 31,
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2014
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2013
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Computers
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$
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10
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$
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9
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Office furniture and equipment
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97
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94
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Leasehold improvements
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229
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229
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Total cost
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336
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332
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Accumulated depreciation and amortization
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(332
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)
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(332
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)
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Property and equipment, net
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$
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4
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$
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-
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The Company’s depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $402 and $24,000, respectively.
Note 5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Acquisition of North South
On December 27, 2012, the Company formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Nuta, which is incorporated in the state of Virginia. On April 2, 2013, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended (the "Merger Agreement") with its wholly owned subsidiary, Nuta, North South Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("North South"), the owner or assignee of certain patents, licenses and applications (the “North South Intellectual Property”), and the shareholders of North South (the "North South Shareholders"). On September 10, 2013 the transaction contemplated under the Merger Agreement was completed (the “Merger”). At closing, North South
merged with and into Nuta with Nuta as the surviving corporation. Nuta will continue its operations in the State of Virginia as the record owner of the North South’s intellectual property. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger, at the closing of the Merger, all of North South’s 5,213 issued and outstanding shares of common stock were converted into an aggregate of 1,203,153 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and all of North South’s 491 issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 107 issued and outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock were converted into an aggregate of 1,379,685 shares of the Company's Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, which is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-ten basis (collectively with the 1,203,153 common shares of the Company, the “Merger Consideration”). The Company acquired North South to expand its patent portfolio and continue its business plan of the monetization of its intellectual property.
The closing of the Merger was subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of a fairness opinion that the Merger Consideration is fair to stockholders and the Company from a financial point of view, based on, among other things, the North South Intellectual Property assets, and the approval of the Company’s shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting capital stock of the Company as of the record date (July 10, 2013) to issue the Merger Consideration pursuant to NASDAQ listing standards.
The Company accounted for its acquisition of North South using the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013, include operations of the acquired business since September 10, 2013. The fair value of the purchase consideration issued to the sellers of North South was allocated to fair value of the net tangible assets acquired, with the resulting excess allocated to separately identifiable intangibles, and the remainder recorded as goodwill. Goodwill recognized from the transactions mainly represented the expected operational synergies upon acquisition of the subsidiary and intangibles not qualifying for separate recognition. Goodwill is nondeductible for income tax purposes in the tax jurisdiction of the acquired business.
The purchase price was allocated as follows (in thousands):
Purchase Consideration:
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Value of common stock and convertible preferred stock issued to sellers
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$
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5,511
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Tangible assets acquired:
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Cash
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2,662
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Prepaid expenses
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35
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Net tangible assets acquired
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2,697
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Purchase consideration in excess of fair value of net tangible assets
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2,814
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Allocated to:
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Patent portfolios
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1,102
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Goodwill
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1,712
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The purchase price allocation was based, in part, on management’s knowledge of North South’s business and the results of a third party appraisal commissioned by management.
The following table presents the unaudited pro-forma financial results, as if the acquisition of North South had been completed as of January 1, 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
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For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
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Revenues
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$
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121
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Net loss
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(18,259
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)
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Loss per share - basic and diluted
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$
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(8.49
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)
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The unaudited pro-forma results of operations are presented for information purposes only. The unaudited pro-forma results of operations are not intended to present actual results that would have been attained had the acquisition been completed as of January 1, 2013 or to project potential operating results as of any future date or for any future periods.
Rockstar Patent Acquisition – July 2013
On July 24, 2013, the Company purchased a group of patents in the mobile communication sector from Rockstar at a contractual price of $4.0 million pursuant to a patent purchase agreement (the “First Patent Purchase Agreement”). In consideration for the Purchased Patents, the Company paid an aggregate $3.0 million in consideration to Rockstar, which consisted of a $2.0 million cash payment and 176,991 shares of the Company’s common stock paid to Rockstar at the closing of the First Patent Purchase Agreement valued at $1.0 million, or $5.65 per share. Pursuant to the First Patent Purchase Agreement, on the anniversary of one year and one day after the Company files its first complaint against a defendant with any one or more of the patents acquired in the First Patent Purchase Agreement, the Company was required to deliver to Rockstar an additional $1.0 million. The initial complaint was filed on August 30, 2013, and at that time the additional $1.0 million was accrued and included in patent portfolio on the consolidated balance sheet. On January 3, 2014, the Company remitted $1.0 million to Rockstar in satisfaction of this liability.
Rockstar will also be entitled to receive a contingent recovery percentage of future profits (“Participation Payments”) from licensing, settlements and judgments against defendants with respect to patents purchased under the First Patent Purchase Agreement; however, no payment is required unless the Company receives a recovery. The Participation Payments under the First Patent Purchase Agreement are equal to zero percent until the Company recovers with respect to patents purchased under the First Patent Purchase Agreement at least (a) $8.0 million or (b) if the Company recovers less than $17.0 million, an amount equal to $5.0 million plus $3.0 million times a fraction equal to total recoveries minus $10.0 million, divided by $7.0 million (clause (a) or (b), as applicable, being the “Initial Return”), in each case net of certain expenses. Once the Company obtains recoveries in excess of its Initial Return, it is required to make a payment to Rockstar of $13.0 million, payable only from the proceeds of such recovery, within six months after such recovery. In addition, no later than 30 days after the end of each quarter in which the Company makes such a recovery, the Company would be required to pay to Rockstar a percentage of such recovery, net of certain expenses, scaling from 30% if such cumulative recoveries net of certain expenses are less than or equal to $50.0 million, to 70% to the extent cumulative recoveries net of certain expenses are in excess of $1.0 billion. The Company’s ability to fund these Participation Payments or the $13.0 million contingent payment will depend on the liquidity of the Company’s assets, recoveries, alternative demands for cash resources and access to capital at the time. The Company’s obligation to fund Participation Payments could adversely impact its liquidity and financial position.
Rockstar Patent Acquisition – December 2013
On December 31, 2013, the Company entered into its second agreement to acquire certain patents from Rockstar (the “Second Patent Purchase Agreement”). The Company acquired a suite of 101 patents and patent applications pursuant to the Second Patent Purchase Agreement in several technology families, including data, optical and voice technology. The patents provide the Company with rights to develop and commercialize products as well as enforcement rights for past, present and future infringement. In consideration of these patents, the Company paid Rockstar
199,990 shares of its common stock, 459,043 shares of its Series H Preferred Stock and 119,760 shares of its
Series I Preferred Stock for aggregate consideration of $60.0 million.
Rockstar will also be entitled to receive Participation Payments from licensing, settlements and judgments against defendants with respect to patents purchased under the Second Patent Purchase Agreement; however, no payment is required unless the Company receives a recovery. The Participation Payments under the Second Patent Purchase Agreement are equal to zero percent until the Company recovers with respect to patents purchased under the Second Patent Purchase Agreement at least $120.0 million, net of certain expenses. Once the Company obtains recoveries in excess of that amount, the Company would be required to pay to Rockstar 50% of its recovery in excess of that amount, no later than 30 days after the end of each quarter in which the Company makes such a recovery. The Company’s ability to fund these Participation Payments will depend on the liquidity of the Company’s assets, recoveries, alternative demands for cash resources and access to capital at the time. The Company’s obligation to fund Participation Payments could adversely impact our liquidity and financial position.
Additionally, in the event the Company consummates a Fundamental Transaction (as defined in the Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock), within two trading days of the closing of the Fundamental Transaction the Company shall be required to redeem such portion of the outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock as shall equal (i) 50% of the net proceeds of the Fundamental Transaction after deduction of the amount of net proceeds required to leave the Company with cash and cash equivalents on hand of $5.0 million and up until the net proceeds leave the Company with cash and cash equivalents on hand of $7.5 million and (ii) 100% of the net proceeds of the Fundamental Transaction thereafter.
The Company’s intangible assets with finite lives consist of its patents and patent rights, with estimated remaining economic useful lives ranging from six months to 12 years. For all periods presented, all of the Company’s identifiable intangible assets were subject to amortization. The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization related to acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands, except year amounts):
|
|
Rockstar
Patent
Portfolio Acquired
|
|
|
North South
Patent
Portfolio Acquired
|
|
|
Rockstar
Patent
Portfolio
Acquired
|
|
|
Total Amount
|
|
|
|
24-Jul-13
|
|
|
10-Sep-13
|
|
|
31-Dec-13
|
|
|
|
Initial Patent Cost
|
|
$
|
4,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,102
|
|
|
$
|
60,000
|
|
|
$
|
65,102
|
|
Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2013
|
|
|
208
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
267
|
|
Patent Portfolios at December 31, 2013, Net
|
|
|
3,792
|
|
|
|
1,062
|
|
|
|
59,981
|
|
|
|
64,835
|
|
Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2014
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
9,231
|
|
|
|
9,831
|
|
Patent Portfolios at December 31, 2014, Net
|
|
$
|
3,322
|
|
|
$
|
932
|
|
|
$
|
50,750
|
|
|
$
|
55,004
|
|
The Company incurred amortization expense associated with its finite-lived intangible assets of $9.83 million and $0.27 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. There was no amortization prior to July 24, 2013 as the first assets were placed into service on July 24, 2013.
The weighted average remaining amortization period of the Company’s patents as of December 31, 2014 is approximately 5.6 years. Future amortization of all patents is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Rockstar
|
|
|
North South
|
|
|
Rockstar
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquired
|
|
|
Acquired
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
24-Jul-13
|
|
|
10-Sep-13
|
|
|
31-Dec-13
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2015
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
9,225
|
|
|
|
9,825
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2016
|
|
|
471
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
9,250
|
|
|
|
9,851
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2017
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
9,225
|
|
|
|
9,825
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2018
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
9,225
|
|
|
|
9,825
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2019
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
9,225
|
|
|
|
9,825
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
971
|
|
|
|
282
|
|
|
|
4,600
|
|
|
|
5,853
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,322
|
|
|
$
|
932
|
|
|
$
|
50,750
|
|
|
$
|
55,004
|
|
Note 6. Fair Value Measurement
On November 7, 2012, the Company issued an aggregate of 483,657 shares of common stock at a price of $5.324 per share for aggregate net proceeds of $2.6 million. The Company also issued warrants to the investors in the offering to purchase aggregate of 483,657 shares of common stock. The warrants were exercisable through November 7, 2017 at an exercise price of $6.53 per share. The warrants contained a provision for net cash settlement at the option of the holder in the event that there is a fundamental transaction (as contractually defined in the warrant agreements) and as a result, were recorded as derivative liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
On March 6, 2013, the Company and certain investors that participated in the November 2012 private placement transaction (“Investors”), entered into separate Warrant Exchange Agreements pursuant to which certain of the Investors exchanged common stock purchase warrants acquired in the private placement for shares of the Company’s newly designated Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. Each share of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of the Company’s common stock at the option of the holder, subject to certain limitations on conversions that would result in the Investors acquiring more than 4.99% (or, if such limitation is waived by the holder upon no less than 61 days prior notice, 9.99%) of the outstanding voting stock of the Company. The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock was established on March 5, 2013 by the filing in the State of Delaware of a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (“Certificate of Designation”). The liquidation preference of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is $0.0001 per share.
Pursuant to the Warrant Exchange Agreements, certain Investors received in exchange for their warrants an aggregate of 229,337 shares of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, each convertible into one share of Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is the same number as would have been-issued upon a “cashless exercise” of the exchanged warrants under the terms of the warrants based on the one-day volume weighted average price of the Company’s Common Stock on February 28, 2013, which was $12.6439 per share, as reported by Bloomberg. As of December 31, 2014, investors have converted 229,336 shares of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock into 229,336 shares of common stock.
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
The following table presents the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
|
|
Fair value measured at December 31, 2014
|
|
|
|
Total carrying value at December 31,
|
|
Quoted prices in active markets
|
|
Significant other observable inputs
|
|
Significant unobservable inputs
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
(Level 1)
|
|
|
(Level 2)
|
|
|
(Level 3)
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities - mutual funds
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of warrant liabilities
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
Fair value measured at December 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
Total carrying value at December 31,
|
|
Quoted prices in active markets
|
|
Significant other observable inputs
|
|
Significant unobservable inputs
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
(Level 1)
|
|
|
(Level 2)
|
|
|
(Level 3)
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of warrant liabilities
|
|
$
|
48
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
48
|
|
Level 3 liabilities are valued using unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the derivative liabilities. For fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s accounting and finance department, who report to the Principal Accounting Officer, determine its valuation policies and procedures. The development and determination of the unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements and fair value calculations are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
Level 3 Valuation Techniques
Level 3 financial liabilities consist of the warrant liabilities for which there is no current market for these securities such that the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation. Changes in fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are analyzed each period based on changes in estimates or assumptions and recorded as appropriate.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to value Level 3 financial liabilities at inception and on subsequent valuation dates. This model incorporates transaction details such as the Company’s stock price, contractual terms, maturity, risk free rates, as well as volatility.
A significant decrease in the volatility or a significant decrease in the Company’s stock price, in isolation, would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement. Changes in the values of the warrant liabilities are recorded in “Fair value adjustments for warrant liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
As of December 31, 2014, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3 from other levels in the fair value hierarchy.
Liabilities resulting from the Warrants issued in connection with the Company’s November 2012 financing were valued using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and the following assumptions on the following dates (fair value in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
March 6,
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
0.02% - 1.10%
|
|
|
|
0.01% - 0.78%
|
|
|
|
0.81%
|
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
69.1% - 86.1%
|
|
|
|
69.1% - 89.4%
|
|
|
|
147.15%
|
|
Expected life (in years)
|
|
|
0.1 - 3.4
|
|
|
|
0.1 - 3.9
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Number of warrants
|
|
|
58,448
|
|
|
|
65,263
|
|
|
|
474,266
|
|
Fair value
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
48
|
|
|
$
|
5,696
|
|
The risk-free interest rate was based on rates established by the Federal Reserve. The expected volatility in the Black-Scholes model is based on the standard deviation of the Company’s underlying stock price's daily logarithmic returns. The expected life of the warrants was determined by the expiration date of the warrants. The expected dividend yield was based upon the fact that the Company has not historically paid dividends on its common stock, and does not expect to pay dividends on its common stock in the future. The volatility rate was computed based on a comparison of average volatility rates of similar companies.
The fair value of the warrant liabilities is re-measured at the end of every reporting period and upon the exercise and/or modification of warrants. The change in fair value is reported in the consolidated statement of operations as fair value adjustments for warrant liabilities.
The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31 (in thousands):
|
|
For the Years Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
48
|
|
|
$
|
3,126
|
|
Issuance of new warrants
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Fair value adjustments for warrant liabilities
|
|
|
(48
|
)
|
|
|
2,618
|
|
Reclassification to stockholders' equity
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(5,696
|
)
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
On April 24, 2014, the Company filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which was previously approved by the stockholders at a meeting held on February 6, 2014. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, among other things, increased the authorized number of shares of common stock and preferred stock to 200,000,000 shares from 50,000,000 shares and to 50,000,000 shares from 5,000,000 shares, respectively. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation also requires the Company to indemnify its directors, officer and agents and advance expenses to such persons to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
Preferred Stock
On April 23, 2014, the Company filed a Certificate of Elimination with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware eliminating its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, Series E Convertible Preferred Stock and Series F Convertible Preferred Stock and returning them to authorized but undesignated shares of preferred stock. No shares of the foregoing series of preferred stock were outstanding. On May 28, 2014, the Company designated 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock as Series J Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series J Preferred Stock”).The Company had designated separate series of its capital stock as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 as summarized below:
|
|
Number of Shares Issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Outstanding as of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
2014
|
|
|
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
Par Value
|
|
|
Conversion Ratio
|
|
Series "A"
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
0.0001
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Series "B"
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
1:1
|
|
Series "C"
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
1:1
|
|
Series “D"
|
|
|
4,725
|
|
|
|
1,227,582
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
10:1
|
|
Series “D-1"
|
|
|
834
|
|
|
|
59,265
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
10:1
|
|
Series “E"
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
1:1
|
|
Series “F"
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
1:1
|
|
Series “F-1"
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
156,250
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
1:1
|
|
Series “H"
|
|
|
439,043
|
|
|
|
459,043
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
10:1
|
|
Series “I”
|
|
|
35,541
|
|
|
|
119,760
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
20:1
|
|
Series “J”
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0.0001
|
|
|
1:1
|
|
Series A Participating Preferred Stock
The Company’s board of directors has designated 500,000 shares of its preferred stock as Series A Participating Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”).
On January 1, 2013, the Company adopted a stockholder rights plan in which rights to purchase shares of Series A Preferred Stock were distributed as a dividend at the rate of one right for each share of common stock. The rights are designed to guard against partial tender offers and other abusive and coercive tactics that might be used in an attempt to gain control of the Company or to deprive its stockholders of their interest in the long-term value of the Company. These rights seek to achieve these goals by forcing a potential acquirer to negotiate with the board of directors (or to go to court to try to force the board of directors to redeem the rights), because only the board of directors can redeem the rights and allow the potential acquirer to acquire the Company’s shares without suffering very significant dilution. However, these rights also could deter or prevent transactions that stockholders deem to be in their interests, and could reduce the price that investors or an acquirer might be willing to pay in the future for shares of the Company’s common stock.
Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share (a “Unit”) of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock. Each Unit of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per share of common stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Units of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of common stock. Each Unit of Series A Preferred Stock will have 100 votes, voting together with the common stock. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of common stock are exchanged, each Unit of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per share of common stock. These rights are protected by customary anti-dilution provisions.
The rights will be exercisable only if a person or group acquires 10% or more of the Company’s common stock (subject to certain exceptions stated in the plan) or announces a tender offer the consummation of which would result in ownership by a person or group of 10% or more of the Company’s common stock. The board of directors may redeem the rights at a price of $0.001 per right. The rights will expire at the close of business on December 31, 2017 unless the expiration date is extended or unless the rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company.
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
In connection with an offering of securities, which the Company closed in October 2010, the Company created a Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”). All shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued in the offering were converted to common stock except for one outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock as of December 31, 2013, and all shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued in the offering were converted to common stock as of December 31, 2014.
The Series B Preferred Stock was convertible at the option of the holder at any time into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion ratio determined by dividing the stated value of the convertible preferred stock, or $1,000, by a conversion price of $250.00 per share. The conversion price was subject to adjustment in the case of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions. The conversion price was also subject to adjustment if the Company issues rights, options or warrants to all holders of its common stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of its common stock at a price per share less than the daily volume weighted average price of its common stock, if the Company distributed evidence of its indebtedness or assets or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any security to all holders of its common stock, or if the Company consummated a fundamental corporate transaction such as a merger or consolidation, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets, or an exchange or tender offer accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock did not have the right to convert any portion of its Series B Preferred Stock if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to its conversion. The Series B Preferred Stock was entitled to receive dividends (on an “as converted to common stock” basis) to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the Company’s common stock. Except as required by law, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock generally were not entitled to voting rights. On April 15, 2014, one share of Series B Preferred Stock was converted into four shares of common stock. No shares of Series B Preferred Stock remained outstanding thereafter, and this class of stock was eliminated on April 23, 2014.
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
On March 6, 2013, the Company and certain investors that participated in the Company’s November 2012 private placement transaction entered into separate Warrant Exchange Agreements pursuant to which those investors exchanged common stock purchase warrants for 229,337 shares of the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”). Each share of Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of common stock at the option of the holder. The Series C Preferred Stock was established on March 5, 2013 by the filing in the State of Delaware of a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series C Preferred Stock. During the year ended December 31, 2013, 229,336 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were converted into 229,336 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, one share of Series C Preferred Stock remained issued and outstanding.
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock
In connection with the acquisition of North South’s patent portfolio in September 2013, the Company issued 1,379,685 shares of its Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”) to the stockholders of North South. Each share of Series D Preferred Stock has a stated value of $0.0001 per share and is convertible into 10 shares of common stock. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s business, each holder of Series D Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, for each share of Series D Preferred Stock held, a preferential amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) the stated value or (ii) the amount the holder would receive as a holder of the Company’s common stock on an “as converted” basis. Each holder of Series D Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to its stockholders and shall be entitled to such number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock such shares of Series D Preferred Stock are convertible into at such time, taking into account the beneficial ownership limitations set forth in the governing Certificate of Designation and the conversion limitations described below. At no time may shares of Series D Preferred Stock be converted if such conversion would cause the holder to hold in excess of 4.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, subject to an increase in such limitation up to 9.99% of the issued and outstanding common stock on 61 days’ written notice to the Company. The conversion ratio of the Series D Preferred Stock is subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, (a) 16,588 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into 165,880 shares of common stock and (b) 135,515 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock were exchanged for Series D-1 Convertible Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2013, 1,227,582 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, 1,222,857 shares of Series D Preferred Stock were exchanged for Series D-1 Convertible Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2014, 4,725 shares of Series D Preferred Stock remained issued and outstanding.
Series D-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company’s Series D-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series D-1 Preferred Stock”) was established on November 22, 2013. Each share of Series D-1 Preferred Stock has a stated value of $0.0001 per share and is convertible into 10 shares of common stock. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s business, each holder of Series D-1 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, for each share of Series D-1 Preferred Stock held, a preferential amount in cash equal to the greater of (i) the stated value or (ii) the amount the holder would receive as a holder of the Company’s common stock on an “as converted” basis. Each holder of Series D-1 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders and shall be entitled to such number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock such shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock are convertible into at such time, taking into account the beneficial ownership limitations set forth in the governing Certificate of Designation. At no time may shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock be converted if such conversion would cause the holder to hold in excess of 9.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. The conversion ratio of the Series D-1 Preferred Stock is subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions. The Company commenced an exchange with holders of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to which the holders of the Company’s outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock acquired in the Merger could exchange such shares for shares of the Company’s Series D-1 Preferred Stock on a one-for-one basis.
On January 27, 2014, the Company entered into a lockup agreement with certain holders of an aggregate of 1,508,148 shares of the Company’s common stock and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock, which are included in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.333-192737) (the “Lockup Agreement” and such 1,508,148 shares, the “Locked Up Shares”). The holders of the Locked Up Shares have agreed, for so long as such holders own such shares, not to sell any Locked Up Shares unless either (i) if such sale price is at least $6.00 per share, the cumulative amount sold by such holder (including the anticipated sale) does not exceed such holder's pro rata portion of 60% of the composite aggregate trading volume of the common stock during the period beginning on the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective and ending on the date of sale (the “Lockup Measuring Period) or (ii), if the sale price is less than $6.00 per share, the cumulative amount sold by such holder does not exceed such holder's pro rata portion of 20% of the composite aggregate trading volume during the Lockup Measuring Period.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, 76,250 share of Series D-1 Preferred were converted into 762,500 shares of common stock, and as a result, as of December 31, 2013, 59,265 shares of Series D-1 Convertible Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, (a) 1,222,857 shares of Series D Preferred Stock were exchanged for Series D-1 Preferred Stock and (b) 1,281,288 shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock were converted into 12,812,880 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2014, 834 shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock remained issued and outstanding.
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company’s Series E Preferred Stock was established on June 25, 2013. Each share of Series E Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder at any time, into one (1) share of common stock and has a stated value of $0.0001. Such conversion ratio is subject to adjustment in the case of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions. The Company is prohibited from effecting the conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder will beneficially own more than 4.99% (or, if such limitation is waived by the holder upon no less than 61 days prior notice, 9.99%) in the aggregate of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock.
On June 25, 2013, the Company sold 100,000 shares of its newly designated Series E Convertible Preferred Stock to North South for a purchase price of $5.00 per share with gross proceeds to the Company of $500,000 pursuant to a subscription agreement. These securities were sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) and Regulation D (Rule 506) under the Securities Act and corresponding provisions of the securities laws. As a result of the Merger, all outstanding shares of the Company’s Series E Preferred Stock were held by North South and retired in full on September 30, 2013. No shares of Series E Preferred Stock remained outstanding thereafter, and this class of stock was eliminated on April 23, 2014.
Series F Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company’s Series F Convertible Preferred Stock was established on November 1, 2013. Each share of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder at any time, into one (1) share of common stock and has a stated value of $0.0001. Such conversion ratio is subject to adjustment in the case of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions. Each share of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote per share (subject to beneficial ownership limitation) and shall vote together with holders of the Company’s common stock. The Company is prohibited from effecting the conversion of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder will beneficially own more than 9.99% in the aggregate of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock.
On November 6, 2013, the Company sold an aggregate of 304,250 shares of its newly designated Series F Convertible Preferred Stock and 48,438 shares of common stock to five accredited investors for gross proceeds to the Company of $2,235,000 pursuant to subscription agreements. The purchase price per share of Common Stock was $6.40 for $1,310,000 of such investment and $6.25 for $925,000 of such investment. No broker was utilized in connection with the sale.
On November 26, 2013, the Company entered into separate Amendment and Exchange Agreements (each, a “Series F Exchange Agreement”) with the holders of the Company’s outstanding shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred Stock” and each holder, a “Series F Holder”) pursuant to which the Series F Holders agreed to return their shares of Series F Preferred Stock to the Company for cancellation in consideration for which the Company issued such Series F Holder an equal number of shares of Series F-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Series F-1 Preferred Stock” and the transaction, the “Series F Exchange”). During the year ended December 31, 2013, all 304,250 shares of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock were converted into Series F-1 Convertible Preferred Stock. No shares of Series F Preferred Stock remained outstanding thereafter,
and this class of stock was eliminated on April 23, 2014.
Series F-1 Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company’s Series F-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series F-1 Preferred Stock”) was established on November 22, 2013. Each share of Series F-1 Preferred Stock was convertible, at the option of the holder at any time, into one share of common stock and had a stated value of $0.0001. Such conversion ratio was subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions. Each share of Series F-1 Preferred Stock was entitled to 91% of one vote per share (subject to beneficial ownership limitations) and voted together with holders of the Company’s common Stock. The Company was prohibited from effecting the conversion of the Series F-1 Preferred Stock to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder would beneficially own more than 9.99% in the aggregate of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series F-1 Preferred Stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, 148,000 shares of Series F-1 Preferred Stock were converted into 148,000 shares of common stock, and as a result, as of December 31, 2013, 156,250 shares of Series F-1 Preferred Stock are outstanding.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, 156,250 shares of Series F-1 Preferred Stock were converted into 156,250 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2014, no shares of Series F-1 Preferred Stock remained issued and outstanding.
Series H Convertible Preferred Stock
On December 31, 2013, the Company designated 459,043 shares of preferred stock as Series H Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series H Preferred Stock”). On December 31, 2013, the Company issued approximately $38.3 million of Series H Preferred Stock (or 459,043 shares) to Rockstar. Each share of Series H Preferred Stock is convertible into ten shares of common stock and has a stated value of $83.50. The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions. The Company is prohibited from effecting the conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder beneficially owns more than 4.99% (which may be increased to 9.99% and subsequently to 19.99%, each upon 61 days’ written notice), in the aggregate, of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock. Holders of the Series H Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders and shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of Series H Preferred Stock are convertible, subject to applicable beneficial ownership limitations. The Series H Preferred Stock provides a liquidation preference of $83.50 per share. The shares of Series H Preferred Stock were not immediately convertible and did not possess any voting rights until such a time as the Company had obtained stockholder approval of the issuance, pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635. On April 16, 2014, the Company obtained the required shareholder approval and, as a result, all outstanding shares of Series H Preferred Stock are convertible and possess voting rights in accordance with its terms. On May 28, 2014, 20,000 shares of Series H Preferred Stock were converted into 200,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2014, 439,043 shares of Series H Preferred Stock remained issued and outstanding.
Series I Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
On December 31, 2013, the Company designated 119,760 shares of preferred stock as Series I Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series I Preferred Stock”). On December 31, 2013, the Company issued approximately $20 million (or 119,760 shares) of Series I Preferred Stock to Rockstar. Each share of Series I Preferred Stock is convertible into 20 shares of the Company’s common stock and has a stated value of $167.00. The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions. The holder is prohibited from converting the Series I Preferred Stock to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder beneficially owns more than 4.99% (which may be increased to 9.99% and subsequently to 19.99%, each upon 61 days’ written notice), in the aggregate, of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series I Preferred Stock. Holders of the Series I Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to its stockholders and shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of Series I Preferred Stock are convertible, subject to applicable beneficial ownership limitations. The Series I Preferred Stock provides for a liquidation preference of $167.00 per share.
The Series I Preferred Stock contains a mandatory redemption date of December 31, 2015 as to 100% of the Series I Preferred Stock then outstanding, requiring a minimum of 25% of the total number of shares of Series I Preferred Stock issued to be redeemed (less the amount of any conversions occurring prior thereto) on or prior to each of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2014, June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2015 (each, a “Partial Redemption Date” and each payment, a “Redemption Payment”). On each Partial Redemption Date, the Company is required to pay Rockstar a Redemption Payment equal to the lesser of (i) such number of shares of Series I Preferred Stock as have a stated value of $5.0 million; or (ii) such number of shares of Series I Preferred Stock as shall, together with all voluntary and mandatory redemptions and conversions to common stock occurring prior to the applicable Partial Redemption Date, have an aggregate stated value of $5.0 million; or (iii) the remaining shares of Series I Preferred Stock issued and outstanding if such shares have an aggregate stated value of less than $5.0 million, in an amount of cash equal to its stated value plus all accrued but unpaid dividends, distributions and interest thereon, unless such holder of Series I Preferred Stock, in its sole discretion, elects to waive such Redemption Payment or convert such shares of Series I Preferred Stock (or a portion thereof) into common stock. No interest or dividends are payable on the Series I Preferred Stock unless the Company fails to make the first $5.0 million Partial Redemption Payment due September 30, 2014, then interest shall accrue on the outstanding stated value of all outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock at a rate of 15% per annum from January 1, 2014. The Company’s obligations to pay the Redemption Payments and any interest payments in connection therewith are secured pursuant to the terms of a Security Agreement under which the Rockstar patent portfolio serves as collateral security. No action can be taken under the Security Agreement unless the Company has failed to make a second redemption payment of $5.0 million due December 31, 2014, which payment has been made. The Security Agreement contains additional usual and customary events of default under which Rockstar can take action, including a sale to a third party or reduction of secured amounts via transfer of the Rockstar patent portfolio to Rockstar.
Additionally, in the event the Company consummates a Fundamental Transaction (as defined below), the Company shall be required to redeem such portion of the outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock as shall equal (i) 50% of the net proceeds of the Fundamental Transaction after deduction of the amount of net proceeds required to leave the Company with cash and cash equivalents on hand of $5.0 million and up until the net proceeds leave the Company with cash and cash equivalents on hand of $7.5 million and (ii) 100% of the net proceeds of the Fundamental Transaction thereafter. “Fundamental Transaction” means directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions: (a) the Company of any subsidiary realizes net proceeds from any financing, recovery, sale, license fee or other revenue received by the Company (including on account of any intellectual property rights held by the Company and not just in respect of the patents) during any fiscal quarter in an amount which would cause the cash or cash equivalents of the Company to exceed $5,000,000, (b) the Company consolidates or merges with or into (whether or not the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the surviving corporation) any other person, or (c) the Company or any of its subsidiaries sells, leases, licenses, assigns, transfers, conveys or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its respective properties or assets to any other Person, provided that, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction under clause (b) or (c), neither such Fundamental Transaction may proceed without the consent of the holders holding a majority of the shares of Series I Preferred Stock unless (A) all shares of Series I Preferred Stock held by the holders are redeemed with interest upon closing of such Fundamental Transaction, and (B) all shares of common stock of the Company then held by the holders are redeemed or otherwise purchased for cash or freely tradable securities of a publicly traded company at a price at or above the then-current market value of such common stock.
The shares of Series I Preferred Stock were not immediately convertible and did not possess any voting rights until such a time as the Company had obtained stockholder approval of the issuance, pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635. On April 16, 2014, the Company obtained the required shareholder approval and, as a result, all outstanding shares of Series I Preferred Stock are convertible and possess voting rights in accordance with its terms.
In June 2014, the Company redeemed 84,219 shares of Series I Preferred Stock. In accordance with this Redemption Payment, the Company paid Rockstar $14.1 million. If the Series I Preferred Stock is not converted into common stock or otherwise redeemed, approximately $1.0 million will be due to the holders of the Series I Preferred Stock by June 2015 and $5.0 million will be due to the holders of the Series I Preferred Stock by December 31, 2015.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, 35,514 and 119,760 shares of Series I Preferred Stock remained issued and outstanding, respectively.
Series J Convertible Preferred Stock
On May 28, 2014, the Company designated 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock as Series J Convertible Preferred Stock. On May 28, 2014, the Company entered into an placement agency agreement with Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd., as the placement agent, which provided for the issuance and sale in a registered direct public offering (the “Series J Offering”) by the Company of 10,000,000 shares of Series J Preferred Stock which were convertible into a total of 10,000,000 shares of common stock. The Series J Preferred Stock in the Series J Offering was sold at a public offering price of $2.00 per share. The net offering proceeds to the Company from the sale of the shares were approximately $18.4 million, after deducting placement agent fees ($1.32 million), legal fees ($0.18 million) and escrow fee ($0.04 million). The sale of the Series J Preferred Stock was made pursuant to a subscription agreement between the Company and certain investors in the Series J Offering.
The shares of Series J Preferred Stock carried a liquidation preference equal to the greater of (i) the stated value or (ii) the amount the holder would receive as a holder of the Company’s common stock if such holder had converted the Series J Preferred Stock immediately prior to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Each holder of Series J Preferred Stock was entitled to vote on all matters submitted to shareholders of the Company and was entitled to a vote of 67.3% of the number of votes for each share of Series J Preferred Stock owned at the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on such matter. Subject to certain ownership limitations as described below, shares of Series J Preferred Stock were convertible at any time at the option of the holder into shares of the Company's common stock in an amount equal to one share of the Company’s common stock for each one share of Series J Preferred Stock surrendered. Subject to limited exceptions, holders of shares of Series J Preferred Stock did not have the right to convert any portion of their Series J Preferred Stock that would result in the holder, together with its affiliates, beneficially owning in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of the Company's common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to its conversion; notwithstanding the foregoing, some Investors elected to have the 9.99% beneficial ownership limitation to initially be 4.99%.
As of December 31, 2014, all 10,000,000 shares of Series J Preferred Stock had been converted into 10,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2014, no shares of Series J Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
Private Placement
On March 26, 2014, the Company sold an aggregate of $4,446,000 of its securities in a private offering made solely to accredited investors (the “March 26 Offering”) pursuant to subscription agreements, dated as of March 26, 2014. Pursuant to the March 26 Offering, investors purchased (i) 1,185,614 shares of common stock of the Company and (ii) five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 592,794 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $6.15 per share. The warrants became exercisable on the six month anniversary of the date of issuance by payment to the Company of the exercise price of $6.15 per share, or if a registration statement covering the common stock underlying the Warrants is not then in effect, on a cashless basis. Each warrant may be callable at $0.01 per warrant upon the consummation of a Company financing with a per-share offering price of at least $8.00 and net proceeds to the Company from such offering of at least $15 million.
Pursuant to the terms of the subscription agreements, the Company registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) all Shares and the shares of common stock underlying the Warrants issued in the Private Placement Offering (including the placement agent warrant described below) on Form S-3, which was declared effective on May 16, 2014.
The Company incurred aggregate costs associated with the Private Placement Offering of approximately $572,000, and issued a five-year warrant to purchase 118,561
shares of common stock to the placement agent at an exercise price of $4.67 per share of common stock (the “Placement Agent Warrant”). The Placement Agent Warrant became exercisable on the six month anniversary of the date of issuance.
Common Stock Grants
On September 17, 2013 the Company entered into an investor relations agreement with RedChip Companies Inc. (“RedChip”). The initial term of the agreement expired on March 17, 2014 and was not renewed. As consideration for the services performed by RedChip, the Company agreed to (a) issue RedChip 15,000 shares of common stock in connection with execution of the agreement, and (b) pay $20,000 per month in cash. The Company has determined that the fair value of common stock was more readily determinable than the fair value of the services rendered. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a stock-based compensation expense associated with the issuance of the shares of $120,000, which is included in other selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
In April 2014, the Company issued Rockstar 239,521 shares of common stock with a grant date fair value of approximately $0.7 million for registration penalty as discussed below in Note 9.
On July 10, 2014, the Company issued 125,000 shares of fully registered common stock for the accrued settlement of the contractual dispute with a financial advisor. The aggregate fair value of the stock grant was $225,000 based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on July 1, 2014.
Warrants
A summary of warrant activity for year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is presented below:
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
|
|
Total Intrinsic Value
|
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2012
|
|
|
550,664
|
|
|
$
|
24.14
|
|
|
$
|
145
|
|
|
|
4.67
|
|
Issued
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Converted
|
|
|
(474,266
|
)
|
|
|
6.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(9,391
|
)
|
|
|
6.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(1,744
|
)
|
|
|
105.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2013
|
|
|
65,263
|
|
|
$
|
5.83
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
2.44
|
|
Issued
|
|
|
711,355
|
|
|
|
5.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(6,815
|
)
|
|
|
503.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014
|
|
|
769,803
|
|
|
$
|
13.70
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
4.03
|
|
Stock Options
2012 Plan
In late 2012, the Company adopted the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) which permits issuance of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted stock. The 2012 Plan replaced a prior incentive stock plan. During 2012, the Company granted 5,487 options to the Company’s Board of Directors and officers under the 2012 plan. Options issued to employees typically vest over a four-year period and options issued to non-employee directors vested immediately upon being granted. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were 7,039 fully vested options outstanding under the 2012 Plan.
2013 Plan and Option Grants
In April 2013, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Spherix Incorporated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), an omnibus equity incentive plan pursuant to which the Company may grant equity and cash and equity-linked awards to certain management, directors, consultants and others. The plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders in August 2013.
The 2013 Plan authorized approximately 15% of the Company’s fully-diluted Common Stock at the time approved (not to exceed 2,800,000 shares) be reserved for issuance under the Plan, after giving effect to the shares of the Company’s capital stock issuable under the Merger.
On April 4, 2013, with the approval of the Board of Directors, the Company granted 2,005,500 option shares to executives of the Company and certain outside consultants under the 2013 Plan. The total fair value of the options on the date of grant was approximately $15.9 million under the Black-Scholes and other lattice models of valuing options. The stock options were granted to various employees, directors and consultants at a contractual price of $7.08 per share, which was equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date that the terms of those awards were agreed to by the Company and optionees.
Awards with service conditions only were granted as follows:
·
|
750,000 stock options to the Company’s former interim Chief Executive Officer which vest in four equal installments of 187,500 options each on October 4, 2013, April 4, 2014, October 4, 2014 and April 4, 2015, subject to a time based service condition only;
|
·
|
250,000 stock options to the former Chief Executive Officer of North South, who became the Company’s Chief Executive Officer upon the completion of the acquisition of North South on September 10, 2013, which vest in four equal installments of 62,500 options each on October 4, 2013, April 4, 2014, October 4, 2014 and April 4, 2015, subject to a time based service condition only;
|
·
|
An aggregate of 225,000 options to three directors that fully vested on October 4, 2013, subject to each of these directors’ continued service to the Company through that date; and
|
·
|
An aggregate of 30,000 options to two consultants and one employee that fully vested on August 16, 2013 upon shareholder approval of the plan.
|
Awards with combined market and service conditions were granted as follows:
·
|
250,000 stock options to the former interim Chief Executive Officer for which (i) the exercisability of the options is subject to the volume weighted average price of the Company’s stock attaining at least $12 per share for at least 30 days during any consecutive 90 day period through December 31, 2014, and (ii) the continued employment/directorship of the interim Chief Executive Officer over a period of time that permits vesting at the rate of 62,500 options each on October 4, 2013, April 4, 2014, October 4, 2014 and April 4, 2015, subject to a time based service condition only; and
|
·
|
500,000 stock options to the former Chief Executive Officer of North South, who became the Company’s Chief Executive Officer upon the completion of the acquisition of North South on September 10, 2013 for which (i) the exercisability of the options is subject to the volume weighted average price of the Company’s stock attaining at least $12 per share for at least 30 days during any consecutive 90 day period through December 31, 2014, and (ii) achieving performance conditions as follows:
|
|
o
|
100,000 options subject to the delivery of a business plan acceptable to the board of directors of the Company by no later than June 30, 2013;
|
|
|
70,000 options subject to the closing of a financing transaction as set forth in the business plan;
|
|
|
70,000 options for two successful patent monetization;
|
|
|
70,000 options upon the completion of an additional purchase of a patent portfolio;
|
|
|
70,000 options upon the initiation of litigation upon at least four defendants in infringement cases;
|
|
|
70,000 options upon the presentation of at least two additional monetization opportunities acceptable to the board of directors; and
|
|
|
50,000 options for attending at least 20 investor relations meetings.
|
The fair value of the stock options issued with combined market and service conditions only was calculated on the date that the final approval by the stockholders was obtained using the same assumptions as the awards that contain service conditions only; however, the fair value was adjusted for the risk associated with attaining the volume weighted average pricing target that must be met in order for the award to become exercisable. The Company determined that the unit fair value of each award amounted to $4.90 based on a 70% probability of attaining the aforementioned price target, which was determined using a Monte Carlo Simulation of the probability of attaining the target. The aggregate fair value of the 250,000 stock options that feature the combined market and service condition amounted to $1.2 million on the date of grant. The fair value of these awards were amortized over an explicit service period in which the award vests at the rate of 62,500 options each on October 4, 2013, April 4, 2014 and October 4, 2014, with the final 62,500 vesting on April 4, 2015 as noted above. Compensation expense recognized for this award amounted to $1.6 million as of December 31, 2014. Unamortized compensation cost for this award amounts to $0.8 million and will be amortized over the remaining explicit service of 18 months.
The aggregate fair value of the 500,000 stock option that features the combined market and performance condition amounted to $2.5 million on the date of grant. All these criteria were met as of December 31, 2013.
The 2013 stock option plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders on August 16, 2013, which resulted in the ratification of the awards approved by the Company’s board of directors on April 4, 2013.
In addition to the above, on October 28, 2013, the Company, with the approval of the board of directors, granted 1,214 options to a board member at a contractual price of $8.24 per share, which was equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date that the terms of those awards were agreed to by the Company and optionee. The options had a grant date fair value of approximately $6,000, vested immediately, and expire in 5 years.
2014 Plan and Option Grants
On January 28, 2014, the Company approved the adoption of a director compensation program (the “Program”) for non-employee directors pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the Spherix Incorporated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). Pursuant to the Program, and pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under Plan, each non-employee director shall annually be awarded 75,000 non-qualified stock options (the “Director Options”) to acquire shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company commencing with the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company for the 2015 fiscal year of the Company.
Each Director Option shall have a term of five (5) years and shall vest in two equal annual installments with 50% vesting immediately on the date of issue and the remaining 50% on the one year anniversary of the date of issue so long as the director has not been removed for cause. Each Director Option shall be granted on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders at which directors are elected and shall have an exercise price equal to the closing price of common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of issuance.
On January 28, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued 75,000 Director Options with an exercise price of $5.83 to each of the following non-employee directors: Robert Vander Zanden, Douglas Brown, Edward Karr, Harvey Kesner and Alexander Poltorak.
Also on January 28, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued non-qualified options with a term of five (5) years and an exercise price of $5.83 to the individuals below for the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite their respective names:
●
|
Edward Karr – 200,000 shares, vesting in two equal annual installments with 50% vesting immediately on the date of issue and the remaining 50% on the one-year anniversary of the date of issue so long as the recipient has not been removed as a director for cause;
|
●
|
Harvey Kesner – 600,000 shares, vesting in two equal annual installments with 50% vesting immediately on the date of issue and the remaining 50% on the one-year anniversary of the date of issue so long as the recipient has not been removed as a director for cause; and
|
●
|
An individual third party – 25,000, vesting immediately.
|
Mr. Karr and Mr. Kesner were issued their respective performance options in addition to the Director Options described above.
On January 28, 2014, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors adopted resolutions intended to grant 300,000 non-qualified stock options with a term of five years and an exercise price of $5.83 to Anthony Hayes that would be subject to certain vesting conditions upon agreement of the Compensation Committee and Mr. Hayes. The parties failed to reach agreement prior to the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and accordingly the stock options subject to specific performance targets were determined to be not issued, but may be issued at a future date at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. In accordance with ASC Topic 718 the failure to finalize performance targets result in the stock options not being considered to have been granted and therefore are not outstanding.
On March 14, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued 100,000 non-qualified options with a term of 10 years and an exercise price of $4.67 to an employee of the Company. The options vest in 25% increments in quarterly installments beginning July 1, 2014.
On March 21, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued 10,000 non-qualified options with a term of five years and an exercise price of $4.29 to an employee of the Company. These options vest in 50% increments in six-month installments beginning September 20, 2014.
On April 3, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued non-qualified options with a term of five years and an exercise price equal to the closing price of the common stock on the trading day to the individuals below for the number of shares of common stock:
●
|
An individual third party – 25,000 shares, vesting immediately;
|
●
|
Anthony Hayes – 500,000 shares, with 50% vesting immediately on the date of issue and the remaining 50% vesting upon the Company’s receipt of gross proceeds of at least $30 million by April 3, 2015 from an offering of its securities;
|
●
|
Edward Karr – 100,000 shares, vesting immediately;
|
●
|
Harvey Kesner – 200,000 shares, vesting immediately; and
|
●
|
Alexander Poltorak – 75,000 shares, vesting immediately.
|
The Company determined that the achievement of the performance target by Mr. Hayes was probable on the grant date.
On June 19, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued additional 50,000 non-qualified options with a term of 10 years and an exercise price of $1.94 to an employee of the Company. The options vested in two equal installments on each of June 19, 2014 and December 19, 2014.
On July 3, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued Director Options with a term of five years and an exercise price of $1.79 to the individuals listed below for the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite their respective names:
●
|
Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive Officer and Director – 100,000 shares, vesting immediately;
|
●
|
Edward Karr – 200,000 shares, vesting immediately;
|
●
|
Douglas Brown – 200,000 shares, vesting immediately;
|
●
|
Alexander Poltorak – 200,000 shares, vesting immediately; and
|
●
|
Robert Vander Zanden – 200,000 shares, vesting immediately.
|
Also on July 3, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued 25,000 options with a term of five years and an exercise price of $1.79 to an employee of the Company. The options vested immediately.
On August 1, 2014, pursuant to and subject to the available number of shares reserved under the 2014 Plan, the Company issued 100,000 non-qualified options with a term of 10 years and an exercise price of $1.34 to an employee of the Company. The options vest in 25% increments in quarterly installments beginning August 1, 2014.
Modification of Stock Options with Termination of Directorship
On May 28, 2014, Harvey Kesner resigned as a director of the Company. Pursuant to this resignation, the Company's Board of Directors approved the accelerated vesting of 837,500 previously granted stock options to vest on the date of Mr. Kesner's resignation. As a result, the Company recorded an immediate one-time charge of $5.4 million of additional stock-based compensation expense in June 2014 related to this modification.
On December 15, 2014, Edward Karr resigned as a director of the Company. Pursuant to this resignation, the Company's Board of Directors approved the accelerated vesting of 137,500 previously granted stock options to vest on the date of Mr. Karr’s resignation. As a result, the Company recorded an immediate one-time charge of approximately $0.1 million of additional stock-based compensation expense in December 2014 related to this modification.
The grant date fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2014 was approximately $6.1 million. The fair value of the Company’s common stock was based upon the publicly quoted price on the date that the final approval of the awards was obtained. The Company does not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future so therefore the expected dividend yield is 0%. The expected term for stock options granted with service conditions represents the average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is based on the expected term calculated using the approach prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission's Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110 for “plain vanilla” options. The expected term for stock options granted with performance and/or market conditions represents the estimated period estimated by management by which the performance conditions will be met. The Company obtained the risk-free interest rate from publicly available data published by the Federal Reserve. The volatility rate was computed based on a comparison of average volatility rates of similar companies. The fair value of options granted in 2014 was estimated using the following assumptions:
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Exercise price
|
|
$
|
1.34 - $5.83
|
|
|
$
|
7.08 - $8.24
|
|
Expected stock price volatility
|
|
|
77.7% - 90.6
|
%
|
|
|
78.9% - 86.4
|
%
|
Risk-free rate of interest
|
|
|
0.76% - 1.80
|
%
|
|
|
0.36% - 2.84
|
%
|
Term (years)
|
|
|
2.5 - 5.5
|
|
|
|
1.0 - 10.0
|
|
A summary of option activity under the Company’s employee stock option plan for year ended December 31, 2014 is presented below:
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
|
|
Total Intrinsic Value
|
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2012
|
|
|
7,163
|
|
|
$
|
22.35
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
Employee options granted
|
|
|
1,976,714
|
|
|
|
7.08
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
9.3
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2013
|
|
|
1,983,877
|
|
|
|
7.14
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Employee options granted
|
|
|
3,260,000
|
|
|
|
3.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.2
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014
|
|
|
5,243,877
|
|
|
|
4.97
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
|
Options vested and expected to vest
|
|
|
5,243,877
|
|
|
|
4.97
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
|
Options vested and exercisable
|
|
|
4,776,252
|
|
|
$
|
5.10
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
6.1
|
|
A summary of options that the Company granted to non-employees for the year ended December 31, 2014 is presented below:
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
|
|
Total Intrinsic Value
|
|
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2012
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Non-employee options granted
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
7.08
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2013
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
7.08
|
|
|
|
29,400
|
|
|
|
9.3
|
|
Non-employee options granted
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
2.86
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
5.16
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6.4
|
|
Options vested and expected to vest
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
5.16
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6.4
|
|
Options vested and exercisable
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
$
|
5.16
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
6.4
|
|
Stock-based compensation associated with the amortization of stock option expense was $12.6 million and $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Unamortized compensation cost for these awards amounted to $0.46 million at December 31, 2014, and will be amortized over 0.4 years.
Restricted Stock Awards
On December 28, 2012, the Company issued 120,000 shares of restricted stock under the Company’s 2012 Equity Compensation Plan to Paradox Capital Partners, LLC, an entity beneficially owned by the Company’s former interim Chief Executive Officer and former director, Mr. Harvey J. Kesner. The total grant date fair value of the issuance of the restricted stock was approximately $816,000. The shares were to vest if prior to December 31, 2017, the Company; (i) closed a Qualified Transaction (as defined within the agreement); (ii) closed a private or public financing of at least $7.5 million; or (iii) otherwise undergoes a change in control. In such an event, the Mr. Kesner was also entitled to a one-time payment of $250,000. The consummation of the Merger qualified as a Qualified Transaction and was approved by the shareholders, thereby causing the shares to vest on September 10, 2013. The one-time payment of $250,000 was also made in connection with the closing of the Merger. See Note 8.
On January 23, 2014, the Company issued 2,000 shares of fully vested common stock to two consultants in return for services rendered.
On March 3, 2014 the Company issued 1,700 shares of fully vested common stock for consulting services.
On March 14, 2014, the Company issued 10,000 restricted shares to an employee of the Company. The restricted stock awards vest in 25% increments in quarterly installments beginning March 14, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, 7,500 shares were vested.
On April 15, 2014, the Company issued 10,000 shares of restricted common stock to a third party for consulting services. 5,000 shares were vested upfront, and the remaining 5,000 shares were vest on October 22, 2014.
On May 13, 2014, the Company issued 50,000 shares of restricted common stock to a third party for consulting services. The restricted stock award vested immediately.
On June 9, 2014, the Company issued 5,952 shares of restricted common stock to a third party for consulting services. The restricted stock award vested immediately.
On June 27, 2014, the Company issued 33,333 shares of restricted common stock to a third party for legal services. The restricted stock award vested immediately.
On August 1, 2014, the Company issued 10,000 restricted shares to an employee of the Company. The restricted stock awards vest in 25% increments in quarterly installments beginning August 1, 2014.
The aggregate fair value of these restricted stock awards was $0.2 million based upon the closing price on the day before the grant date.
A summary of the restricted stock award activity for the year ended December 31, 2014, 2014 is as follows:
|
|
Number
of Units
|
|
|
Weighted Average Grant Day Fair Value
|
|
Nonvested at December 31, 2012
|
|
|
122,500
|
|
|
$
|
6.83
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(120,250
|
)
|
|
|
(6.80
|
)
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(2,000
|
)
|
|
|
(6.83
|
)
|
Nonvested at December 31, 2013
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
$
|
6.83
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
119,285
|
|
|
|
1.78
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(112,035
|
)
|
|
|
1.74
|
|
Nonvested at December 31, 2014
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
$
|
2.63
|
|
Stock-based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was comprised of the following (in thousands):
|
|
For the Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Employee restricted stock awards
|
|
$
|
49
|
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
Employee stock option awards
|
|
|
12,403
|
|
|
|
8,696
|
|
Non-employee restricted stock awards
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
|
937
|
|
Non-employee option awards
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
332
|
|
Total compensation expense
|
|
$
|
12,676
|
|
|
$
|
9,971
|
|
Note 8. Related Party Transactions
Retention Agreements
On December 12, 2012 the Company entered into a Retention Agreement with Mr. Robert Clayton, the Company’s then Chief Financial Officer, which provides that (i) Mr. Clayton would remain as CFO of the Company through March 31, 2013 and (ii) the Company would pay Mr. Clayton a severance of $212,180 as required by the terms of his prior employment agreement. The $212,180 was paid by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2013.
In January 2013, the Company entered into a Retention Agreement with Dr. Robert A. Lodder, the Company’s President at the time, which provides that (i) Dr. Lodder remained with the Company as an executive officer through June 30, 2013 and receive compensation at the rate previously provided to him and (ii) the Company will pay Dr. Lodder a severance of $233,398 as had been provided under the terms of his Employment Agreement, which was terminated under the terms of his Retention Agreement. The $233,398 was paid by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Executive Officer Agreements
On September 10, 2013, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Anthony Hayes pursuant to which Mr. Hayes serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company for a period of two years, subject to renewal. In consideration for his employment, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Hayes a signing bonus of $100,000 and a base salary of $350,000 per annum. Mr. Hayes will be entitled to receive an annual bonus in an amount equal to up to 100% of his base salary if the Company meets or exceeds certain criteria adopted by the Company’s compensation committee. In the event Mr. Hayes’ employment is terminated, other than for “Cause,” or by Mr. Hayes without “Good Reason,” as both terms are defined in Mr. Hayes’ employment agreement, Mr. Hayes will be entitled to receive severance benefits equal to twelve months of his base salary, continued coverage under the Company’s benefit plans for a period of twelve months and payment of his pro-rated earned annual bonus.
As it relates to Mr. Hayes 2013 annual bonus, the Company paid Mr. Hayes $100,000 during the year ended December 31, 2013. In April of 2014, compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved to pay Mr. Hayes the remaining amount of his 2013 bonus due of $250,000. The bonus was paid as of June 30, 2014.
As it relates to Mr. Hayes 2014 annual bonus, during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a bonus payout of $175,000 for services provided in 2014. The Company has included such bonus in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.
In February 2015, the members of the Compensation Committee revised the annual bonus structure to be paid to Mr. Hayes and established an incentive target bonus per the Employment Agreement (a “Target Bonus”). The amount of the Target Bonus shall be (i) $350,000 in cash, which shall be payable in a single lump-sum payment promptly following the consummation of a qualifying strategic transaction, and (ii) a discretionary bonus to be determined by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, prior to the earlier of a proxy solicitation in 2015 in relation to a qualifying strategic transaction or the consummation thereof.
On January 6, 2014, the Company’s board of directors appointed Richard Cohen as its Chief Financial Officer, and Michael Pollack resigned as the interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective January 3, 2014. Mr. Cohen is serving as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to an agreement with Chord Advisors LLC (“Chord”), of which Mr. Cohen is Chairman. In consideration for Mr. Cohen’s services, the Company has agreed to pay Chord a monthly fee of $20,000, $5,000 of which was initially payable in shares of the Company’s common stock. In April 2014, the Company modified this agreement to pay Chord a monthly fee of $20,000 in cash. The previous $15,000 payable in shares was forgiven by Chord.
Other Agreements
At the end of December, 2012, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with an entity wholly-owned by Mr. Kesner, pursuant to which the entity was issued 120,000 shares of common stock in exchange for services, as disclosed in Note 6. Mr. Kesner was named the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer in February 2013 and resigned the position effective September 10, 2013, the date the Merger completed. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2013 Mr. Kesner was issued 6,711 shares of common stock issued upon the cashless exercise of 9,391 warrants. As disclosed in Note 6, Mr. Kesner was also paid $250,000 in connection with the Company’s completion of the Merger. Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (“SRFF”) previously provided legal services to the Company. SRFF invoiced the Company $449,935 and $737,987 for legal services rendered for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, as disclosed in Note 7, in January 2014, Mr. Kesner, a partner of SRFF, was awarded 75,000 non-qualified stock options (the “Director Options”) to acquire shares of the Company's common stock, 600,000 non-qualified options with a term of five (5) years and an exercise price of $5.83; and in April 2014, he was awarded 200,000 non-qualified options with a term of five (5) years and an exercise price of $2.86. On May 28, 2014, Harvey Kesner resigned as a director of the Company. Pursuant to this resignation, 837,500 non-vested stock options were vested immediately.
Note Payable Issuance
On August 6, 2013, the Company sold a promissory note in the principal amount of $0.5 million to North South Holdings, Inc. pursuant to the terms of a Note Purchase Agreement with gross proceeds to the Company of $0.5 million. The Note accrued interest at the rate of 0.25% per annum and was due and payable twenty-four months from the date of issuance, subject to acceleration in the event of default and may be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty or premium. The note has been cancelled in connection with the Merger.
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
Financing of Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance
The Company financed its Directors’ and Officers’ insurance policy for $0.1 million. Payments are due monthly and the policy is for 12 months. Finance charges for the 12 month period are nominal. As of December 31, 2014, the Company owed approximately $0.1 million and such amounts were recorded in accrued expenses. The Company has made regular payments in accordance with this insurance policy.
Leases
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had office in Tysons Corner, Virginia, where it leased 837 of office space with a $1,883 monthly lease payment under lease agreement. Upon the expiration of this lease in August 2014, the Company’s Virginia operations were moved to Bethesda. The Company also has offices in Bethesda, Maryland, where it leases 5,000 square feet of office space with a $13,090 monthly lease payment under lease agreement. The Maryland lease runs from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2018.
From December 2013 to July 2014, the Company leased office space in New York, NY on a month-to-month basis at a monthly rate of $6,000.
In June 2014, the Company opened a new office in Longview, Texas. The lease term of the Texas office runs from June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015 at a monthly rate of $1,958.
In August 2014, the Company secured new office space in New York City, with a $4,990 monthly cost for a 12 month period.
In December 2014, the Company made the decision to accelerate the lease expense for Bethesda offices since the Bethesda facility is not adequate for the Company’s current needs and future sublets were not considered probable. The Company recognized $0.17 million estimated short-term lease liabilities and $0.41 million estimated long-term lease liabilities related to the acceleration of lease cost.
Future minimum rental payments required as of December 31, 2014, including Bethesda office lease obligation are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Operating Lease
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2015
|
|
|
218
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2016
|
|
|
178
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2017
|
|
|
183
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2018
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
$
|
625
|
|
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, the Company actively pursues legal remedies to enforce its intellectual property rights and to stop unauthorized use of our technology. From time to time, the Company may be involved in various claims and counterclaims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. There were no pending material claims or legal matters as of the date of this report other than the following matters:
Spherix Incorporated v. Elizabethean Court Associates III Limited Partnership
The Company commenced a lawsuit against the landlord of the Bethesda, Maryland office claiming that the assignment of the lease to the purchaser of the Spherix Consulting business was permitted under the lease and seeking termination of the lease as a result of the landlord's failure to consent to such assignment. The lawsuit, Spherix Incorporated v. Elizabethean Court Associates III Limited Partnership, Case No., 377142 was decided in favor of Elizabethean Court Associates III Limited Partnership (“Elizabethean”) on March 28, 2014. On April 24, 2014, Elizabethean filed a motion for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. On September 18, 2014, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Elizabethean and paid a $266,000 settlement fee relating to an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. In addition, the Company determined at December 31, 2014 that it was no longer going to realize a substantial economic benefit from the leased property in Bethesda, Maryland and as a result, has included the future remaining obligations under the lease agreement of approximately $580,000 in lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Of the total remaining future obligations under the least agreement, $173,000 is during within the next 12 months.
LegalLink, Inc. v. Spherix Incorporated
On October 7, 2013, the Company received notice of a complaint filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Maryland, Case No.: 382667-V, in the matter of LegalLink Inc. vs. Spherix Incorporated. LegalLink, Inc., a Merrill Communications Company alleged that the Company failed to honor their contract regarding services provided by LegalLink, Inc. LegalLink, Inc. alleged that the Company owes them $47,000 for services rendered to the Company, that have gone unpaid. In November 2013, the parties settled this case for $30,000. This amounted was recorded as a component of professional fees during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Guidance IP LLC v. T-Mobile Inc., Case No. 2:14-cv-01066-RSM, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
On August 1, 2013, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Guidance initiated litigation against T-Mobile Inc. (“T-Mobile”) in
Guidance IP LLC v. T-Mobile Inc
., Case No. 6:13-cv-01168-CEH-GJK, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,719,584 (the “Asserted Patent”). The complaint alleges that T-Mobile has manufactured, sold, offered for sale and/or imported technology that infringes the Asserted Patent. The Company seeks relief in the form of a finding of infringement of the Asserted Patent, an accounting of all damages sustained by the Company as a result of T-Mobile’s infringement, actual damages, enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. Section 284, attorney’s fees and costs. On April 24, 2014, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida transferred the case to the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (“the Court”). On July 14, 2014, the Court assigned the case a new case number, 2:14-cv-01066-RSM. On January 29, 2015, the Court issued an Order requiring the parties to serve Initial Disclosures by February 26, 2015 and submit a Joint Status Report and Discovery Plan to the Court by March 12, 2015, which were timely served and filed.
Spherix Incorporated v. VTech Telecommunications Ltd. et al., Case No. 3:13-cv-03494-M, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
On August 30, 2013, the Company initiated litigation against VTech Telecommunications Ltd. and VTech Communications, Inc. (collectively “VTech”) in
Spherix Incorporated v. VTech Telecommunications Ltd. et al
., Case No. 3:13-cv-03494-M, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (“the Court”) for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,581,599; 5,752,195; 5,892,814; 6,614,899; and 6,965,614 (collectively, the “Asserted Patents”). The complaint alleges that VTech has manufactured, sold, offered for sale and/or imported technology that infringes the Asserted Patents. The Company seeks relief in the form of a finding of infringement of the Asserted Patents, an accounting of all damages sustained by the Company as a result of VTech’s infringement, actual damages, enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. Section 284, attorney’s fees and costs. On November 11, 2013, VTech filed its Answer with counterclaims requesting a declaration that the Asserted Patents were non-infringed and invalid. On December 5, 2013, The Company filed its Answer to the counterclaims, in which the Company denied that the Asserted Patents were non-infringed and invalid. On May 22, 2014, the Court entered a Scheduling Order for the case setting trial to begin on January 11, 2016. On June 3, 2014, in an effort to narrow the case, the parties filed a stipulation dismissing without prejudice all claims and counterclaims related to U.S. Patent No. 5,752,195. On September 4, 2014, VTech Communications, Inc., together with Uniden America Corporation, filed a request for
inter partes
review of two of the Asserted Patents in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which has not yet issued a decision regarding whether to institute the requested review. On October 27, 2014, the Court held a Technology Tutorial Hearing for the educational benefit of the Court. The
Markman
hearing was held on November 21 and 26, 2014. Both the Technology Tutorial and the
Markman
hearing were held jointly with the
Spherix Incorporated v. Uniden Corporation et al.
case (see below). On March 19, 2015, the Court issued its
Markman
order, construing a total of 13 claim terms that had been disputed by the parties.
Spherix Incorporated v. Uniden Corporation et al., Case No. 3:13-cv-03496-M, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
On August 30, 2013, the Company initiated litigation against Uniden Corporation and Uniden America Corporation (collectively “Uniden”) in
Spherix Incorporated v. Uniden Corporation et al.
, Case No. 3:13-cv-03496-M, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (“the Court”) for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,581,599; 5,752,195; 6,614,899; and 6,965,614 (collectively, the “Asserted Patents”). The complaint alleges that Uniden has manufactured, sold, offered for sale and/or imported technology that infringes the Asserted Patents. The Company seeks relief in the form of a finding of infringement of the Asserted Patents, an accounting of all damages sustained by the Company as a result of Uniden’s infringement, actual damages, enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. Section 284, attorney’s fees and costs. On April 15, 2014, Uniden filed its Answer with counterclaims requesting a declaration that the patents at issue were non-infringed and invalid. On April 28, 2014, the Company filed its Answer to the counterclaims, in which the Company denied that the patents at issue were non-infringed and invalid. On May 22, 2014, the Court entered a scheduling order for the case setting trial to begin on February 10, 2016. On June 3, 2014, in an effort to narrow the case, the parties filed a stipulation dismissing without prejudice all claims and counterclaims related to U.S. Patent No. 5,752,195. On September 4, 2014, Uniden America Corporation, together with VTech Communications, Inc., filed a request for
inter partes
review of two of the Asserted Patents in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which has not yet issued a decision regarding whether to institute the requested review. On October 27, 2014, the Court held a Technology Tutorial Hearing for the educational benefit of the Court. The
Markman
hearing was held on November 21 and 26, 2014, with both hearings occurring jointly with the
Spherix Incorporated v. VTech Telecommunications Ltd. et al.
case (see above). On March 19, 2015, the Court issued its
Markman
order, construing a total of 13 claim terms that had been disputed by the parties.
Guidance IP LLC v. ATT Inc., Case No. 3:13-cv-04777, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
On December 6, 2013, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Guidance initiated litigation against ATT Inc. (“ATT”) in Guidance IP LLC v. ATT Inc., Case No. 3:13-cv-04777, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,719,584 (the “Asserted Patent”). The complaint alleged that ATT has manufactured, sold, offered for sale and/or imported technology that infringes the Asserted Patent. The Company sought relief in the form of a finding of infringement of the Asserted Patents, an accounting of all damages sustained by the Company as a result of ATT’s infringement, actual damages, enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. Section 284, attorney’s fees and costs. On February 3, 2014, ATT filed its Answer with counterclaims requesting a declaration that the patents at issue were non-infringed and invalid. On February 24, 2014, Guidance filed its Answer to the counterclaims, in which the Company denied that the patents at issue were non-infringed and invalid. On March 7, 2014, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas entered a scheduling order. The matter has now been resolved for an immaterial settlement amount and the parties filed a Joint Motion to Dismiss on August 7, 2014. On August 13, 2014, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted the dismissal and terminated the case.
Charter Communications, Inc., Wideopenwest Finance LLC a/k/a Wow! Internet, Cable & Phone, Knology, Inc., Cequel Communications, LLC, d/b/a Suddenlink Communications, and Cable One, Inc. v Rockstar Consortium US LP, Bockstar Technologies LLC, Constellation Technologies LLC, and Spherix Incorporated, Case No. 1:14-cv-00055-SLR, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
On January 17, 2014, an action was filed by several cable operators in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (No. 1:14-cv-00055-SLR) against Rockstar, Bockstar Technologies LLC, Constellation Technologies LLC and the Company (collectively, the “Defendants”). The complaint was filed by Charter Communications, Inc., WideOpenWest Finance, LLC a/k/a WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone, Knology, Inc., Cequel Communications, LLC d/b/a Suddenlink Communications, and Cable One, Inc. (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”). Plaintiffs are in the communications, cable and/or wireline industries and alleged that Rockstar has accused the Plaintiffs of practicing various communication and networking technologies (including many well-established technical standards), related to those industries. The complaint states that in many instances such technical standards are designed into the equipment Plaintiffs purchase from vendors, and must be implemented to interoperate with other communications providers and their end user customers. Rockstar owns (and since December 31, 2013, the Company owns) patents alleged to be infringed by Plaintiffs activities. The relief sought against the Company is principally for a declaratory judgment that Plaintiffs do not infringe the patents, requiring that the Plaintiffs be granted a patent license, that the Company has misused the patents and it and the other Defendants have waived and are estopped from enforcing the patents in the marketplace, that the Company is liable to Plaintiffs for entering into an illegal conspiracy, and assessing corresponding damages, for direct and consequential damages, attorney’s fees and costs. The Company’s preliminary assessment is that the lawsuit is completely without merit and that it would defend its position vigorously if served. On March 10, 2014 Rockstar filed a motion to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a cause of action. On April 7, 2014, the Company also filed a motion to dismiss, in which it joined Rockstar’s motion and presented several other bases for dismissal as against the Company. On June 5, 2014, the parties filed a Stipulation of Dismissal of the claims against Spherix. On June 6, 2014, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware entered the dismissal and ordered the case terminated as to the Company.
Spherix Incorporated v. Cisco Systems Inc., Case No. 1:14-cv-00393-SLR, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
On March 28, 2014, the Company initiated litigation against Cisco Systems Inc. (“Cisco”) in
Spherix Incorporated v. Cisco Systems Inc.
, Case No. 1:14-cv-00393-SLR, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. RE40467; 6,697,325; 6,578,086; 6,222,848; 6,130,877; 5,970,125; 6,807,174; 7,397,763; 7,664,123; 7,385,998; and 8,607,323 (collectively, the “Asserted Patents”). The complaint alleges that Cisco has manufactured, sold, offered for sale and/or imported technology that infringes the Asserted Patents. The Company seeks relief in the form of a finding of infringement of the Asserted Patents, an accounting of all damages sustained by the Company as a result of Cisco’s infringement, actual damages, enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. Section 284, attorney’s fees and costs. On July 8, 2014, the Company filed an amended complaint to reflect that certain of the patents asserted were assigned to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary NNPT LLC, based in Longview, Texas. By the amended complaint, NNPT LLC was added as a co-plaintiff with the Company. On August 5, 2014, Cisco filed a motion to dismiss certain claims alleged in the amended complaint. On August 26, 2014, the Company and NNPT filed an opposition to Cisco’s motion to dismiss. On September 5, 2014, Cisco filed its reply brief regarding its motion to dismiss. On March 9, 2015, Cisco moved to consolidate certain claims relating to alleged obligations by the Company to license Cisco on two unrelated patents, which Cisco had made against the Company on June 6, 2014 in the pending case
Bockstar Technologies LLC v. Cisco Systems, Inc.
, Case No. 1:13-cv-02020-SLR-SRF (see below). On March 23, 2015, the Company filed its opposition to Cisco’s motion to consolidate.
Spherix Incorporated v. Juniper Networks, Inc., Case No. 1:14-cv-00578-SLR, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
On May 2, 2014, the Company initiated litigation against Juniper Networks, Inc. (“Juniper”) in
Spherix
Incorporated v. Juniper Networks, Inc.
, Case No. 1:14-cv-00578-SLR, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. RE40467; 6,578,086; 6,130,877; 7,385,998; 7,664,123; and 8,607,323 (collectively, the “Asserted Patents”). The complaint alleges that Juniper has manufactured, sold, offered for sale and/or imported technology that infringes the Asserted Patents. The Company seeks relief in the form of a finding of infringement of the Asserted Patents, an accounting of all damages sustained by the Company as a result of Juniper’s infringement, actual damages, enhanced damages under 35 U.S.C. Section 284, attorney’s fees and costs. On July 8, 2014, the Company filed an amended complaint to reflect that certain of the patents asserted were assigned to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary NNPT LLC, based in Longview, Texas. By the amended complaint, NNPT LLC was added as a co-plaintiff with the Company. On August 8, 2014, Juniper filed a motion to dismiss certain claims alleged in the amended complaint. On August 29, 2014, the Company filed its opposition to Juniper’s motion to dismiss. On September 15, 2014, Juniper filed its reply brief regarding its motion to dismiss.
Bockstar Technologies LLC v. Cisco Systems, Inc., Case No. 1:13-cv-02020-SLR-SRF, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
On June 6, 2014, Defendant Cisco filed an amended complaint and counterclaim in which it added counterclaims against the Company in
Bockstar Technologies LLC v. Cisco Systems, Inc.
, Case No. 1:13-cv-02020-SLR-SRF, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (“the Court”). The Company had previously not been named in this case, which had been pending since December 11, 2013. The asserted counterclaims request a declaratory judgment of non-infringement of two patents owned by the Company and contain other claims based on state law relating to alleged obligations by the Company to license Cisco to the two patents. On July 15, 2014, Bockstar filed a motion to dismiss Cisco’s counterclaims and requested a finding that Counterclaim-Defendants Constellation Technologies LLC, Rockstar Consortium US LP, and the Company had been improperly joined in the case. On August 25, 2014, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss for failure to state a claim and for lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter. The Company also joined in the motion to dismiss previously filed by Bockstar. On September 11, 2014, Cisco filed its opposition to the Company’s motion to dismiss. The Court held a hearing on the motion to dismiss, among several other unrelated motions, on October 8, 2014. On October 10, 2014, the Court issued an Order relating to several issues in the case. In the Order, the Court stayed the counterclaims pending against the Company pending further order of the Court and stated it would decide the Company’s motion to dismiss in due course. On January 30, 2015, Plaintiff Bockstar, Defendant/Counterclaim-Plaintiff Cisco, and Counterclaim-Defendants Constellation Technologies LLC and Rockstar Consortium US LP filed motions to dismiss the claims and counterclaims asserted between them, stating that they had been resolved. On February 2, 2015, the Court granted the motions to dismiss filed by Bockstar, Cisco, Constellation and Rockstar. On March 9, 2015, Cisco filed a motion to dismiss its counterclaims alleging non-infringement. On March 9, 2015, Cisco also moved to consolidate its claims relating to alleged obligations by the Company to license Cisco into the pending case
Spherix Incorporated v. Cisco Systems Inc., Case No. 1:14-cv-00393-SLR
, filed by the Company on March 28, 2014 (see above).
NNPT, LLC v. Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd. et al., Case No. 2:14-cv-00677-JRG-RSP, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
On June 9, 2014, NNPT initiated litigation against Futurewei Technologies, Inc., Huawei Device (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., Huawei Device USA Inc., Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Huawei Technologies Cooperatif U.A., and Huawei Technologies USA Inc. (collectively “Huawei”), in
NNPT, LLC v. Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd. et al.
, Case No. 2:14-cv-00677-JRG-RSP, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (“the Court”), for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,578,086; 6,130,877; 6,697,325; 7,664,123; and 8,607,323 (collectively, the “Asserted Patents”). On September 8, 2014, Huawei filed its answers to the complaint in which defendant Huawei Technologies USA asserted counterclaims requesting a declaration that the patents at issue were non-infringed and invalid. On October 8, 2014, NNPT filed its Answer to the counterclaims, in which it denied that the Asserted Patents were non-infringed and invalid. On January 20, 2015, the Court held a Scheduling Conference and set the
Markman
hearing for July 17, 2015 and trial to begin on February 8, 2016. On January 28, 2015, the Court appointed as mediator for the parties, Hon. David Folsom, former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. On February 24, 2015, the Court issued its Docket Control Order setting the
Markman
hearing for July 17, 2015 and trial to begin on February 8, 2016. The Court also set an August 14, 2015 deadline to complete mediation.
Spherix Incorporated v. Verizon Services Corp. et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-00721-GBL-TCB, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
On June 11, 2014, the Company initiated litigation against Verizon Services Corp.; Verizon South Inc.; Verizon Virginia LLC; Verizon Communications Inc.; Verizon Federal Inc.; Verizon Business Network Services Inc.; and MCI Communications Services, Inc. (collectively, “Verizon”) in
Spherix Incorporated v. Verizon Services Corp. et al.
, Case No. 1:14-cv-00721-GBL-TCB, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (“the Court”) for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,507,648; 6,882,800; 6,980,564; and 8,166,533. On July 2, 2014, the Company filed an Amended Complaint in the case in which it added allegations of infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,478,167. On August 15, 2014, Verizon filed a motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, a motion for a more definite statement. On September 9, 2014, the Court issued a Scheduling Order adopting the parties’ Joint Proposed Discovery Plan. According to the Scheduling Order, the
Markman
hearing is currently scheduled for March 16, 2015. On September 12, 2014, the Company filed its opposition to Verizon’s motion to dismiss, and on September 26, 2014, Verizon filed its reply brief. On October 3, 2014, the Court held a hearing on the motion to dismiss and issued a Minute Entry stating that motion was denied. The Court stated that an Order would follow. On October 17, 2014, Verizon filed an Answer to the Company’s Amended Complaint. The parties agreed to narrow the case by dismissing without prejudice the claims under U.S. Patent Nos. 6,507,648 and 6,882,800, with each party to bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees as to the dismissed claims. The parties filed a joint motion to that effect on October 27, 2014, which was granted on October 30, 2014. The parties further agreed to narrow the case by dismissing without prejudice the claims under U.S. Patent Nos. 8,166,533 and 7,478,167, and filed a joint motion to that effect on November 6, 2014. On November 13, 2014, the Court granted the parties’ Joint Motion to Dismiss the ‘533 Patent and the ‘167 Patent without prejudice, with each party to bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees as to the dismissed claims. On December 18, 2015, the Court set the case for a five day trial beginning on May 18, 2015. On January 9, 2015, the Company and Verizon each filed their motions for summary adjudication and entry of proposed claim constructions. On January 12, 2015, the Court set the motions for summary adjudication for hearing on March 16, 2015 along with the
Markman
hearing. On January 22, 2015, the parties filed their oppositions to the motions for summary adjudication and entry of proposed claim constructions, and on February 5, 2015, the parties filed their reply briefs. On March 16, 2015, the Court held the
Markman
hearing as scheduled. On March 25, 2015, the Court reset the May 18, 2015 jury trial date to August 11, 2015.
Counterclaims
In the ordinary course of business, the Company, along with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, will initiate litigation against parties whom it believes have infringed on its intellectual property rights and technologies. The initiation of such litigation exposes the Company to potential counterclaims initiated by the defendants. Currently, as stated above, defendants in the cases
Spherix Incorporated v. VTech Telecommunications Ltd.
;
Spherix Incorporated v. Uniden Corporation
;
NNPT, LLC v. Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd. et al.
; and
Bockstar Technologies vs. Cisco Systems
have filed counterclaims against the Company. The Company has evaluated the counterclaims and believes they are without merit and has not recorded a loss provision relating to such matters.
Registration Penalty
As stipulated in the Registration Rider of the December 2013 Rockstar patent acquisition agreement, the Company was required to both (i) file a registration statement for the securities issued as consideration in the agreement by February 3, 2014 (unless a later date was consented to by Rockstar), and (ii) such registration statement was to be declared effective by the SEC within 60 days after its filing. Failure to comply with the registration requirement required that the Company issue to Rockstar additional consideration (“Additional Rockstar Shares”) in the form of shares of common stock equal to five percent of the number of shares of common stock and Series H Preferred Stock (taken together) issued to Rockstar (subject to certain beneficial ownership restrictions). Additionally, if the issuance of “Additional Rockstar Shares” would have resulted in violation of certain beneficial ownership limitations, then the issuance of such “Additional Rockstar Shares” would be deferred until such time as the issuance would not cause Rockstar to exceed the applicable Beneficial Ownership set out with in the agreement.
The Company filed a registration statement with the SEC that was not declared effective within the sixty day time period stipulated in the Registration Rider. The registration statement was not declared effective until April 16, 2014. As a result, in April 2014, the Company issued Rockstar 239,521 shares of common stock with a grant date fair value of approximately $0.7 million. The amount of expense recorded by the Company was determined at the time the Company failed to have the registration statement declared effective, or April 4, 2014.
Note 10. Income Taxes
The income tax provision consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
For the Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
5,453
|
|
|
|
(3,556
|
)
|
Increase in valuation allowance
|
|
|
(5,453
|
)
|
|
|
3,556
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State and Local
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
(44
|
)
|
|
|
(644
|
)
|
Increase in valuation allowance
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
644
|
|
Change in valuation allowance
|
|
|
(5,409
|
)
|
|
|
4,200
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit)
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
The following is a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to the effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
|
|
For the Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
U.S. statutory federal rate
|
|
|
(34.00
|
)%
|
|
|
(34.00
|
)%
|
State income tax, net of federal benefit
|
|
|
(3.43
|
)
|
|
|
(3.43
|
)
|
Other Permanent Differences
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
1.48
|
|
Change in Derivative Liability
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
5.45
|
|
Reduction due to sale of subsidiary
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
7.12
|
|
Reduction due to change in NOL
|
|
|
55.1
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
17.72
|
|
|
|
(23.38
|
)
|
Valuation Allowance
|
|
|
(17.72
|
)
|
|
|
23.38
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit)
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
%
|
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the effects of temporary differences attributable to the following (in thousands):
|
|
For the Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryforward
|
|
$
|
4,992
|
|
|
$
|
17,666
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
8,087
|
|
|
|
3,688
|
|
Patent portfolio and other
|
|
|
2,865
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total deferred tax assets
|
|
|
15,944
|
|
|
|
21,354
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
(15,944
|
)
|
|
|
(21,354
|
)
|
Deferred tax assets, net of allowance
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and taxing strategies in making this assessment. The Company has determined that, based on objective evidence currently available, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. Accordingly, the Company has provided a valuation allowance for the full amount of the deferred tax assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013. As of December 31, 2014, the change in valuation allowance is approximately $5.4 million.
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryovers of approximately $11 million, which expire in 2034. During 2014, management analyzed the likelihood of utilization of NOL. As a result of that analysis, the gross deferred tax asset was reduced to approximately $5 million and only NOLs of approximately $11 million are deemed available for potential carryover. The net operating loss carryover may be subject to limitation under Internal Revenue Code section 382, should there be a greater than 50% ownership change as determined under the regulations. The Company’s ability to utilize the net operating loss may be limited pursuant to the Tax Reform Act of 1986, due to cumulative changes in stock ownership in excess of 50% such that some net operating losses may never be utilized. The Company has not performed a detailed analysis to determine whether an ownership change under Section 382 of the IRC has occurred. The effect of an ownership change would be the imposition of an annual limitation on the use of net operating loss carryforwards attributable to periods before the change. Any limitation may result in expiration of a portion of the NOL’s before utilization.
As required by the provisions of ASC 740, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. Differences between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the net benefit recognized and measured pursuant to the interpretation are referred to as “unrecognized benefits.” A liability is recognized (or amount of NOL or amount of tax refundable is reduced) for an unrecognized tax benefit because it represents an enterprise’s potential future obligation to the taxing authority for a tax position that was not recognized as a result of applying the provisions of ASC 740.
If applicable, interest costs and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are required to be calculated and would be classified as interest and penalties in general and administrative expense in the statement of operations. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no liability for unrecognized tax benefit was required to be reported. No interest or penalties were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company does not expect any significant changes in its unrecognized tax benefits in the next year. The Company files U.S. federal and state income tax returns. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s U.S. and state tax returns (New York and Maryland) remain subject to examination by tax authorities beginning with the tax return filed for the year ended December 31, 2011. At this time, the Company's 2013 federal tax return has been selected for examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company believes that its income tax positions would be sustained upon an audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in material changes to its consolidated financial position.
Note 11. Subsequent Events
The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued. Based upon the evaluation, the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements other than disclosed.
Restricted Stock Awards
On January 5, 2015, the Company issued 2,500 shares of fully vested common shares to an employee.
NASDAQ Bid Price Initial Notification
On March 24, 2015, the Company received a letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Staff of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Common Stock no longer meets the requirement to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
In accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has a grace period of 180 calendar days, or until September 21, 2015, to regain compliance with the minimum closing bid price requirement for continued listing. In order to regain compliance, the minimum closing bid price per share of the Company’s Common Stock must be at least $1.00 for a minimum of ten consecutive business days.